Pictures of the day: 7 November 2012

Workers clean the facade of the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, next to the National Stadium, aka the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic complex in Beijing. China is cleaning up its landmark constructions ahead of the opening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party. The congress, which begins on November 8, will name new leaders to run the nation for the next decade.Picture: Imaginechina / Rex Features